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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

I've started baking at a very early age. I just love baking. And since my mom was a primary school teacher at that time, the only chances we had to do some baking was during the festive season. Two weeks before Eid, my siblings and I will start nagging our mom to start baking the cookies. So to just 'quieten' us down, she'll start buying the ingredients and will only start baking a week before Eid. We really had fun helping mak in the kitchen. I miss those good ol' days.......

I'd like to share our family all time favourite cookie recipe, which is Pineapple Tart. I got this recipe in my mom's recipe book. Who knows it might be your favourite as well....

1. Beat margarine and sugar.2. Add in egg.3. Add in the sifted flour with baking powder and make into a soft dough.4. Roll thin about 1/2 cm thick. Cut using the tart cutter (as per photo).5. Put a bit of pineapple jam on top and a tiny dot of dough or any shape (for example a 'V' shape out of the dough) on the jam.6. Bake till slightly brown.

Saturday, July 28, 2007

Ever since I tasted Makcik's Hawa's freshly baked bun some 24 years back, I had fallen in love with the art of bread making. I just took my chances and asked for the recipe from her, though I realise that some people might not like the idea of sharing their recipes with others. Can't blame them actually as that recipe could be of some sentimental value, or perhaps, of business value!

I was in luck as Makcik Hawa willingly gave me her recipe. On the way home, I made my mom stop at the grocery shop to get all the ingredients needed to bake the buns. When we reached home, I got to work straight away. I was 17 that time with totally no baking experience whatsoever!!! But was too proud to ask for mom's help!

So what happened mama? Hahaha...I wasted the whole 500g flour plus all the other ingredients! The dough didn't rise at all! Mom pointed out my mistake...instead of adding the liquid a little at a time, I poured the whole amount at once! Clever me!!!!!

After that I didn't try baking bread anymore until 2 years back. Not that I got put off but I still have to find my confident. Alhamdulillah managed to get over the 'fear' as my first trial on bread making was quite a success to me. Thanks to Mr Alex Goh's book...

I'd like to share this Mexican Bun recipe that was given to me via email by a cyber friend. Thanks a bunch dear Lily for trusting me with your recipe....

Method : 1. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed using the paddle attachment for three minutes. (I beat by the hand) 2. Add in vanilla essence and brown sugar. Beat till creamy. 3. Refrigerate the mixture until firm. 4. Divide mixture into 20g portion ball. Keep refrigerated until ready to use. (I just divide the mixture according to how many doughs I managed to get)

Method : 1. Mix sifted flour, bread improver, bread softener, milk powder, sugar, salt, instant yeast and egg in a mixer bowl. 2. On the mixer (with dough hook) on low speed. Pour in the 3/4 of the liquid, a little at a time. 3. Add in the butter and pour the balance liquid if needed. Knead till dough is soft, smooth and elastic (not sticky). 4. Divide dough into 55 g portions. You should get about 9 portions. 5. Roll each portion into a ball. Cover the balls of dough and leave to rest for 10 minutes. 6. Flatten the dough and place a portion of filling in the center of the dough. 7. Gather the edge and pinch to seal. Make sure to seal well or the filling will leak out during baking. 8. Place on a greased baking tray. Repeat with remaining portions of dough. Place each bun about 7.5 cm apart on the baking tray. 9. Prove for 45 minutes in a warm place or until doubled the size. 10. Pipe the topping on the buns in a spiral, starting from the centre. 11. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 170 C for 12 - 15 minutes or until bun are lightly brown.Note : Amount of liquid used may vary depends on the flour you used.

Friday, July 27, 2007

Today, Friday 27th July, 2007, I started this blog....or shall I say....TRYINGto start a blog of my own. I hope I'll manage...............

I am just a simple housewife, with two kids and an understanding hubby. Love my 'job' very much especially in the 'kitchen' department and the 'laundry' department.

Likes to write though at times, I don't really know what was I blabbering about! And mind my grammar, please! Hahaha!

Anyway, in this blog, I wish to share whatever 'experiments' that I've done in my little kitchen. Who knows it might trigger your interest towards cooking and baking. I am NOT AT ALL a good cook, but I just love experimenting.....I am more towards baking rather than cooking. I cook because I have to feed my family and also, because I love to eat....But when baking is concerned, the love is just to bake but not to eat!!! Psst...anybody wants to be my neighbour? Hahahaha...

Well, I guess this is it for my first entry...let me just cool down from my excitement....